You’re going to invest a big portion of your wedding budget in your wedding photographs. So, how do you make sure they are everything you want them to be? How do you have your perfect wedding photos? With more than 10 years of experience, photographing over 200 weddings and elopements, I’ve learned a few things that will make your wedding photography dreams come true.

you need to plan a realistic wedding day timeline
One of the most important things you can do to make your wedding photography dreams come true is to plan a realistic wedding day timeline or "reality-time" timeline.
A reality-time timeline breaks down all the events of the day from when you wake up and begin getting ready, all the way through to when the party is over. It includes travel times to your venues, including loading and unloading people, buffer time for when something unexpected occurs, and time for bathroom breaks and snack attacks. And, most importantly, it factors in that one family member or groomsman who will go rogue before group portraits can even begin.
Even if you aim for a relaxed and easy-going wedding day you need a proper timeline. Having a realistic timeline of everything that needs to be done and that will likely take place will keep things running smoothly. When you spell out how much time everything needs you’ll be able to enjoy your relaxed and easy-going day as envisioned.

ask for help!
Before you begin working on your wedding timeline, I highly recommend reaching out to your wedding photographer.
Your photographer is the only vendor who will be with you all day long unless you are working with a wedding planner. But, even then, a planner does not always experience the exact ins and outs of the day with you the way your photographer will.
Your wedding photographer can provide you with experienced assistance to establish your timeline and they can also advise you about the best time of day for your outdoor ceremony and portraits. I always work closely with my couples on their timelines!

don’t forget the light
Timing and lighting are important factors in having great wedding portraits—couples and group portraits. So, it only makes sense that getting your photographer’s input would be crucial.
When I work with my couples, I look at the sunset time and solar noon of each wedding day so I can provide personal assistance. And I will advise my couples on how much time is needed for the photo locations they desire and to accomplish their family photo list. But I go beyond all that.
Where I specialize in candidly documenting the day and like to quietly observe all the big and little beautiful moments, I always make sure that my couple's wedding day timeline prioritizes time with their guests.
And almost always, my recommendations are based on when the best time of day will be for everything.

And if you’re still looking for a wedding photographer I’d love to hear from you! Visit my website and use the contact form to get in touch.